How should a person be?

How should a person be? / Sheila Heti

This book started off with a bang.  I was really liking it and the character's quest to figure things out and get to know herself.  Then the book went off into the weeds for awhile when she gets a new boyfriend who instructs her to do some odd sexual things.  I don't think it is me being a prude...but COME ON, you wanted to "find" yourself and now you end up taking instructions like this from some guy you just started seeing?

Later, things get back on track but overall I was disappointed with this book.

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The social animal

The social animal: the hidden sources of love, character and achievement/David Brooks 424 pgs.

This is an interesting book about how culture and individual experiences shape your life and your beliefs. The book bounces between the personal stories of Harold and Erica and some heavier "research". Information about development and success held my interest because there is no simple answers about how to make productive successful people. Erica's story is informative and the way she overcame obstacles and made her cultural mix (Chinese and Mexican parents) an advantage made me keep reading to see what would happen to her. Brooks holds your attention but also admits he is also intrigued with the subject and not an expert.

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also available through Overdrive